Bucs Make Big Impression With Ward Signing

That big splash that everyone kept waiting for the Bucs to make in free agency came late Monday when they pulled the top running back in the market off the shelf and made him their own.

Shortly after completing a visit with the Denver Broncos, former Giants power back Derrick Ward agreed to terms with the Bucs on a four-year, $17 million deal.

The package includes a $3 million guaranteed payout in the first year and a $3 million salary in year one, contingent on him passing a physical.

More importantly, it gives the Bucs a potent complement to projected starting running back Earnest Graham, who is expected to share the ball-carrying duties in the Bucs' new two-back, power-zone rushing attack.

Ward's role in that attack won't come as anything new to him. He played the same role for the Giants last season when the tandem of Ward and Brandon Jacobs combined for 2,114 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Though he started just three games, Ward, 28, ran 182 times for 1,025 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes, the fourth-most on the team, for 384 yards.

Described by most scouts as a good blend of size, power and football speed, particularly when running behind a zone blocking scheme, the 5-foot-11, 228-pound Ward was considered the top every-down back in free agency.

The only negatives he has on him, according to scouts, are his less-than-stellar blocking skills and a tendency to break down, as he did two years ago when a leg injury forced him to miss eight games.

The agreement came one day after the Bucs re-signed free agent receiver Michael Clayton and was a clear sign the Bucs' new regime currently is focusing primarily on reshaping its offense.

In the past few weeks, the Bucs have secured a quarterback (Luke McCown), a top-level wide receiver (Antonio Bryant) and a tight end (Kellen Winslow), who was acquired via trade for a pair of draft picks.

Ward is arguably the biggest addition, though. He fills the hole in the offense the Bucs created when they let Warrick Dunn go in a five-player purge last week and is another example of the team's new direction.

Since handing the offense over to former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski, the Bucs have planned to go with a downhill, power running attack that runs behind a zone-blocking scheme.

Ward's physical probably will be administered today. He agreed to the deal with the Bucs after visiting Cincinnati and Denver and contemplating a return to the Giants.